By the Editors
Presented by Ohio Business Magazine, the eighth annual Ohio Success Awards honors growth within companies, nonprofits and governmental organizations across the state of Ohio. The Ohio Success Awards recognizes the accomplishments of companies that have demonstrated growth in revenue and employees, as well as having demonstrated involvement in their community and service in their industry; nonprofits that have made a significant impact upon the communities they serve; and governmental organizations that have created unique value or opportunities based upon their ingenuity, partnership and perseverance.
Read on to meet these exemplary organizations.
Nomination Process
For the 2026 Ohio Success Awards, a nomination form was emailed to businesses throughout the state, inviting them to self-nominate. A form was also posted online so that other businesses could participate. For-profit, nonprofit and government institutions were able to self-nominate. Nominees were asked to provide information on topics such as their revenue starting in 2023, company size starting in 2023, approximate profitability and revenue and profit projections. The winners were then selected by committee and had to show growth in one or more of these categories. If you are interested in nominating your company next year, subscribe to the Ohio Business Magazine and newsletter (both of which are complimentary).
Private Companies
AG ConsultingUSA
Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio | Established 2022
A consulting firm focused on coaching, mentoring, and providing training to small business owners and entrepreneurs.
- CEO Nominated: Anup Gupta
- 2025 Revenue: Less than $1 million | 2023 Revenue: Less than $1 million
- 2025 Employees: 2 | 2023 Employees: 1
BIG ICE
Cincinnati, Ohio | Established 2018
A specialty ice manufacturer.
- CEO Nominated: Charles Ferguson
- 2025 Revenue: $1–4 million | 2023 Revenue: Less than $1 million
- 2025 Employees: 18 | 2023 Employees: 4
Big Idea Group
Cincinnati, Ohio | Established 2015
Creates and grows brands through strategic leadership, creative thinking, and smart activation plans.
- CEO Nominated: James Ferguson
- 2025 Revenue: $1–4 million | 2023 Revenue: $1–4 million
- 2025 Employees: 8 | 2023 Employees: 7
Chicory Tea Co
Westerville, Ohio | Established 2020
A small, woman-owned business focused on handcrafted tea blends.
- CEO Nominated: Ashley Cotter
- 2025 Revenue: Less than $1 million | 2023 Revenue: Less than $1 million
- 2025 Employees: 1 | 2023 Employees: 1
Crosworks
Columbus, Ohio | Established 1981
A leadership and career consulting organization.
- CEO Nominated: Shelly Stotzer
- 2025 Revenue: Less than $1 million | 2023 Revenue: Less than $1 million
- 2025 Employees: 3 | 2023 Employees: 1
Custom Design Benefits
Cincinnati, Ohio | Established 1991
A third-party administrator specializing in the administration of self-funded health plans.
- CEO Nominated: Julie Mueller
- 2025 Revenue: $1–4 million | 2023 Revenue: $1–4 million
- 2025 Employees: 67 | 2023 Employees: 62
Harvest Tax & Accounting
Mason, Ohio | Established 2020
Provides tax planning and compliance, accounting and bookkeeping, financial statements, special projects, and more.
- CEO Nominated: Eric Bonney
- 2025 Revenue: Less than $1 million | 2023 Revenue: Less than $1 million
- 2025 Employees: 7 | 2023 Employees: 6
Sapphire Creek Winery & Gardens
Chagrin Falls, Ohio | Established 2018
A restaurant and event center.
- CEO Nominated: Kathleen Dangelo
- 2025 Revenue: $5–9 million | 2023 Revenue: $1–4 million
- 2025 Employees: 45 | 2023 Employees: 42
Spider Logistics
West Chester, Ohio | Established 2021
A freight brokerage serving the continental United States, Canada, and Mexico.
- CEO Nominated: Duy Vu
- 2025 Revenue: $5–9 million | 2023 Revenue: $1–4 million
- 2025 Employees: 12 | 2023 Employees: 10
Stratton Mortgage
Dublin, Ohio | Established 2016
A mortgage broker offering residential mortgage financing throughout Ohio.
- CEO Nominated: Adam Baumlein
- 2025 Revenue: $1–4 million | 2023 Revenue: $1–4 million
- 2025 Employees: 10 | 2023 Employees: 13
T&M Associates
Columbus, Ohio | Established 1966
Provides engineering and technical services across five key markets: buildings and facilities, community and land development, environmental, transportation, and water.
- CEO Nominated: Gary Dahms, PE, PP, President and CEO
- 2025 Revenue: $10–24 million | 2023 Revenue: $10–24 million
- 2025 Employees: 58 | 2023 Employees: 69
Tap Root Hospitality
Chagrin Falls, Ohio | Established 2023
A hospitality management group operating two wineries, bourbon lounges, and restaurants.
- CEO Nominated: Kathleen Dangelo
- 2025 Revenue: $1–4 million | 2023 Revenue: Less than $1 million
- 2025 Employees: 6 | 2023 Employees: 7
Taylor Logistics Inc.
Cincinnati, Ohio | Established 1850
A full-service third-party logistics provider offering warehousing, distribution, transportation management, and cold storage.
- CEO Nominated: Drew Taylor
- 2025 Revenue: $49–100 million | 2023 Revenue: $49–100 million
- 2025 Employees: 264 | 2023 Employees: 242
Ulmer’s Auto Care
Cincinnati, Ohio | Established 1936
Provides full-service automotive maintenance and repair.
- CEO Nominated: Bryan Kauffeld
- 2025 Revenue: $10–24 million | 2023 Revenue: $5–9 million
- 2025 Employees: 84 | 2023 Employees: 50
VEGA Americas, Inc.
Mason, Ohio | Established 2011
A global manufacturer of sensors for measuring level, point level, and pressure, as well as related devices and software.
- CEO Nominated: John Groom
- 2025 Revenue: $100–249 million | 2023 Revenue: $100–249 million
- 2025 Employees: 475 | 2023 Employees: 408
Zeal40
Cincinnati, Ohio | Established 2015
A creative agency specializing in branding, design, marketing, content, and web experiences.
- CEOs Nominated: Stacy Koenig and Nicole Fariello
- 2025 Revenue: Less than $1 million | 2023 Revenue: Less than $1 million
- 2025 Employees: 21 | 2023 Employees: 19
Nonprofit & Government Organizations
Being successful means more than increasing revenue and employees—it can also mean making an impact. These nonprofits and governmental institutions demonstrated exceptional impact upon the communities they serve.
Centerville-Washington Park District
Centerville, Ohio | Established 1959
Operates more than 50 parks in Centerville and Washington Township.
- CEO Nominated: Kristen Marks
- 2025 Revenue: $5–9 million | 2023 Revenue: $5–9 million
- 2025 Employees: 27 | 2023 Employees: 28
Cuyahoga County Board of DD
Cleveland, Ohio | Established 1967
Supports and empowers people with developmental disabilities to live, learn, work, and play in Cuyahoga County.
- CEO Nominated: Dr. Amber Gibbs
- 2025 Revenue: $100–249 million | 2023 Revenue: $100–249 million
- 2025 Employees: 570 | 2023 Employees: 560
Goodwill Easterseals Miami Valley
Dayton, Ohio | Established 1934
A community-based, autonomous Goodwill agency based in Dayton, operating 44 retail stores, shopgoodwill.com, and a charitable auto auction.
- CEO Nominated: Lance Detrick
- 2025 Revenue: $100–249 million | 2023 Revenue: $100–249 million
- 2025 Employees: 1,316 | 2023 Employees: 1,252
Saint Ursula Academy
Cincinnati, Ohio | Established 1910
A top-rated high school for girls in grades 9–12 in Greater Cincinnati, offering Catholic education.
- CEO Nominated: Lelia Keefe Kramer
- 2025 Revenue: Less than $1 million | 2023 Revenue: Less than $1 million
- 2025 Employees: 100 | 2023 Employees: 97
The Cure Starts Now Foundation
Cincinnati, Ohio | Established 2007
One of the world’s leading funders of childhood cancer research.
- CEO Nominated: Brooke Desserich
- 2025 Revenue: $5–9 million | 2023 Revenue: $1–4 million
- 2025 Employees: 19 | 2023 Employees: 17